Songs with Earlier Histories Than the Hit Version

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Sheila

First recorded by Tommy Roe & The Satins (1960).
Hit version by Tommy Roe (US #1/UK #3/CAN #1/AUS #1 1962).

From the wiki: “‘Sheila’ was written and recorded by Tommy Roe (‘Dizzy’, 1969) with the help of Robert Bosch. Roe originally conceived the song in 1960 as ‘Frita’, based on a girl from Roe’s high school. Roe auditioned the song for Bosch, a record producer from Judd Records, and while hid response was enthusiastic, Bosch suggested that the name be changed. By coincidence, Roe’s Aunt Sheila was visiting, which inspired the final title of ‘Sheila’. The original version of ‘Sheila’ was recorded by Roe with his then-backing group, The Satins, and a female vocal group, the Flamingos. Released by Judd Records, it had no chart impact.

“But Roe’s 1962 re-recording of ‘Sheila’, produced by ABC-Paramount Records in the style of the ‘Lubbock Sound’ made popular by Buddy Holly and the Crickets, topped the music charts in the US, Canada and Australia, and was also a Top-5 in the UK. When ‘Sheila’ became a hit, the record label asked Roe to go on tour to promote the hit. He was reluctant to give up his secure job soldering wires at General Electric to go on tour behind the song … until ABC-Paramount advanced him $5,000.”

Tommy Roe, “Sheila” (1962):

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